BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS MINUTES March 21, 2016

Transcription

1 BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS MINUTES PRESENT: Commissioner Russell Walker, Chair Commissioner Steve Graham, Vice-Chair (via teleconferencing) Commissioner Stephen Adams Commissioner Steve Craig Commissioner Jeff Mitchell Commissioner Sylvia Parris STAFF: Chief Jean-Michel Blais, Halifax Regional Police Acting Chief Superintendent Dennis Daley, RCMP Deputy Chief Bill Moore, Halifax Regional Police Ms. Katherine Salsman, Solicitor Ms. Sherryll Murphy, Deputy Municipal Clerk The following does not represent a verbatim record of the proceedings of this meeting. The agenda, supporting documents, and information items circulated to the Board of Police Commissioners are available online:

2 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:32 p.m. and adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Commissioner Walker, Chair called the meeting to order in Halifax Hall, 2 nd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 18 and February 22, 2016 MOVED by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Craig THAT the minutes of January 18, 2016 and February 22, 2016 be approved as 3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS Additions: 10.1 Bi-monthly Strategic Plan Update 10.2 Information re: Vehicle Booting 10.3 Extra Duty and Off Duty Employment 10.4 Make up of Board 10.5 Meeting Frequency Acting Chief Superintendent Daley advised that the RCMP officer identified to provide the presentation on the Traffic Section was in court today. The Board agreed to defer the presentation by the RCMP pending attendance of the officer. MOVED by Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Adams THAT the agenda be approved as amended. Two-third majority vote required. 4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES 5. CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS 6. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS 6.1 HRP Code of Ethics A document entitled Halifax Regional Police Code of Ethics Chief Blais advised that he had incorporated feedback from Commissioner Mitchell and asked for any further feedback. No further feedback was provided. 2

3 MOVED by Councillor Craig, seconded by Councillor Adams That the Halifax Regional Police Code of Ethics be accepted as distributed. 7. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS 7.1 Correspondence None 7.2 Petitions None 7.3 Presentation HRP/RCMP Presentation re: Traffic Section Chief Blais introduced Constable Sean Flinn, Accident Reconstructionist who then provided a presentation regarding the HRM Traffic Section. Constable Flinn described the integrated unit in terms of numbers of officers, areas of responsibility, and the type of work done by each member of the unit. He went on to describe the partnerships enjoyed with other transportation and safety bodies/agencies and the public. The Traffic Section, has been becoming more proactive identifying problem traffic areas and resolving these problems. Constable Flinn indicated that the unit has a monthly theme which most often lines up with the Department of Justice monthly theme. Officers keep this theme in mind as they go about their daily responsibilities providing an increased focus on particular areas of traffic enforcement. Constable Flinn went on to briefly describe the types of collision reconstructions undertaken by the unit and noted that he had recently completed a certification for commercial vehicles. Constable Flinn responded to questions clarifying the staffing of the unit, how a serious injury is defined and acted upon, for insurances purposes the insurance company determine fault based on industry standards and describing the relationship with HRP bodies such as the bridge security and military police relative to vehicle enforcement on their properties. The Chair thanked Constable Flinn for his presentation. 8. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD None 9. REPORTS 9.1 STAFF RCMP/HRP Combined Dashboard Report The Combined HRP/RCMP Dashboard Report Acting Chief Superintendent Daley provided the following highlights: Budget letter has been issued Performance plans are being developed and community consultation ongoing in month of April Work is ongoing on the Murray Siegel Report, the Retah Parsons response and the NS Home for Coloured Children Inquiry The RCMP Auxiliary program is undergoing change. Ride alongs and fire arms familiarization has been discontinued. RCMP recognizes the value of these volunteers; however, there will be a role change. 3

4 In response to a question from Councillor Adams related to the decrease in speeding, Chief Blais indicated that he would investigate to determine what may be driving the decrease. Chief Blais provided the following highlights: Airport contract staffing is ongoing with the addition of 21 new officers Annual training is continuing HRP celebrated International Women s Day at the Baptist Church April is Sexual Assault Month April th is Volunteer Appreciation Week and HRP will be recognizing volunteers during this month. April th is also National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Consideration of body worn video will be back to the Board in April/May The RCMP/HRP Combined Dashboard Report was received by the Board as submitted HRP Reports The HRP Reports Chief Jean-Michel Blais provided an overview of the HRP Reports. The HRP Reports were received by the Board as submitted RCMP Reports The RCMP Reports Acting Chief Superintendent Daley provided an overview of the RCMP Reports. The RCMP Reports were received by the Board as submitted Discussion Board Report Requirements/Template The following was before Board: Document entitled Board of Police Commissioners Reports outlining the existing reports available to the Board Chief Blais reviewed the document with the Board noting there were 15 reports presently prepared for and submitted to the report. Acting Chief Superintendent Daley noted that the monthly themes referred to in item are included in the dashboard reporting. The Personnel report and the Training report could each be one bullet with overall numbers but with qualitative context which may assist the Board in impacting change. Commissioner Parris suggested that the MOU review would provide additional guidance around the appropriate reporting. Members agreed that the Dashboard report provides good information. 4

5 Chief Blais suggested that he work with Acting Chief Superintendent to develop a template for reporting the information the Board indicates they would like to received, to which the Board agreed. During a further discussion members indicated that financial, personnel, and training themes, crime statistics including contributing factors and methods of responding to those factors, how the Board can contribute to positive outcomes (i.e. with the community) and trends including what has changed and why. Information relating to SOTs should reflect statistical significance Discussion Monthly Themes A document entitled Monthly Themes for the Joint Dashboard (2015 Calendar). The Board received the Monthly Themes as distributed. 9.2 MEMBERS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Craig Report Request Criminal Records Checks for Non-Profit Organizations The following was before the Board A Request for Board of Police Commissioners Consideration regarding Criminal Records Checks for Non-Profit Organizations An extract of the January 12, 2015 Board of Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes re Criminal Record Check fees for Volunteers Groups Commissioner Craig introduced the matter and MOVED by Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell: That the Halifax Board of Police request a consolidated HRP and RCMP staff report which: 1. Explains what police services do when a Criminal Record Check is requested and performed. 2. Quantifies how many requests for checks are requested and performed each year 3. provides the actual costs (internal and external) to perform and document the checks, and the fees charged to offset those costs. 4. Identifies the fees charged for each individual type of criminal record check. 5. Identifies any provincial or federal programs or initiatives that are in place that provide free Criminal Record Checks. During discussion the Board requested that the report also outline exactly what types of checks are included in the process. 9.2 COMMITTEE MEMBER UPDATE NONE 10. ADDED ITEMS NONE 5

6 10.1 Bi-monthly Strategic Plan Update This matter was added during the setting of the agenda. The following was before the Board The Bi-monthly Strategic Plan Update to March 15, 2016 Chief reviewed the report with the Board outlining the progress to date on each of initiatives. The Chair thanked the Chief for the update Information re Vehicle Booting Commissioner Mitchell Commissioner Mitchell indicated that he had been unable to find any legislation relative to the booting of vehicles by private companies. He noted the lack of legislation/regulation leads to a multitude of issues for the owner of the vehicles and brings into question the responsibilities of the property owner and/or HRM. Deputy Chief Moore advised that police use ticketing rather than booting. He went on to explain that instances of use have been on private property and any police involvement to date had been regarding the car being booted and the driver not wishing to pay. He went on to explain that to date the property owner s right to have illegally parked cars booted and require payment has been upheld by the courts. HRP is monitoring ongoing cases with a view to revisiting the matter should judgements or legislation change Section 56 (1) Extra Duty and Off Duty Employment Commissioner Mitchell requested information relative to the extra duty and off duty employment of police officers. Deputy Chief Moore indicated that HRP has a policy for extra duty and one relating to off duty employment. Deputy Chief Moore and Acting Chief Superintendent Daley committed to distributing, through the Clerk s Office, the pertinent policies Make Up Of Board Re Non-Commissioner In response to a question from Commissioner Mitchell regarding the inclusion of a non-commissioned officer in Board meetings, the Chief indicated that if the Board wished to have particular expertise attend the meeting, this can be arranged. Members could also participate in a ride along or at the RCMP communications center Meeting Frequency Councillor Adams asked if the Board was legislated to have monthly meeting, to which staff responded the Act required quarterly meetings. Councillor Adams suggested that this be a matter of discussion for a future meeting. A brief discussion ensued with Chief Blais expressing concern regarding the limiting of interaction between the Board and the Department. He went on to indicate that he would like to improve the governance for the Board. He indicated that he would like the Board to be able to offer the Department input to improve processes. 6

7 Councillor Craig suggested that if the Chief and Acting Chief Superintendent would bring suggestions or recommendations to the Board requesting input, the Chief s goal could be achieved. Commissioner Parris suggested that an understanding of the accountabilities falling out of the MOU would enable the Board to develop a work plan. The goals of the work plan would, of course, connect with the HRP strategic plan and the goals of the Chief and guide the discussions at this meeting. Noting that the discussion had turned to governance, Councillor Adams MOVED, seconded by Councillor Craig that the Board of Police Commissioners seek an interpretation from the Department of Justice of the reporting structure for the Halifax Regional Police Department in light of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding and the authority under the Police Act. The Board also requested a legal opinion from the HRM Solicitor. 11. IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE) 11.1 Approval of In Camera Minutes January 18, 2016 The following motion was passed in public session: MOVED by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Craig THAT the Board of Police Commissioners approve the In Camera minutes of January 18, 2016 as circulated. 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING April 18, ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Sherryll Murphy Deputy Clerk 7